The word "Kata" or Form is used to describe a
choreographed sequence of techniques which appear to be used against imaginary
opponents.

The purposes for Kata are many but most people
find they assist in understanding the application of certain techniques in
real-life situations.

Kata is an integral facet of every student's
training and an invaluable tool in developing skill in the use of combination
techniques as well as balance, fitness, focus and spirit.

Kata is an important part of both gradings and
Tournament competition.

There are many Kata in Shotokan. There are but a
handful of Karateka in the world who know, and can do, them all.

We have brought you here a comprehensive list of
Shotokan Kata as well as other Kata which have their origins in other styles
that Shotokan Karateka enjoy learning and performing. Where possible, we've
provided a brief explanation of each one. We hope you enjoy learning about them.

As many of the older or rarer Katas are shrouded
in mystery, many of the details concerning them have been lost over time. If you
happen to come across information on any of these Kata that can help us fill in
those details, please submit your contribution for inclusion on this page.

On most of these kata, we have included a
downloadable, printable sketch diagram. You'll see the appropriate link below
the name of each one.

These are the Kata (not in any particular
order)......

Heian

The old name for the Haian Kata was Pinan. These
Kata were developed by Yatasune Itosu as intermediate Kata to the much longer
main Kata of Shorin-Ryu. He did not make them up however, they were based on
much older training forms called Channan, which had their origin in China.

Master Funakoshi considered Pinan Shodan too
difficult for an introductory Kata so he changed Pinan Nidan to Heian Shodan and
Pinan Shodan to Heian Nidan.

For beginners, a somewhat simplified version of
Heian Shodan was introduced, which is called Taikyoku Shodan. This is most often
used for 9th Kyu gradings as a "stepping-stone" to Heian Shodan.

The Okinawan name for these was Naihanchi and
they are directly taken from the long form called Hua-Chuan which is one one of
the main training forms of Tiger Style Northern Shaolin Wu-Shu. It was on
Okinawa that the Kata was split into three separate sections that we now call
Tekki Shodan, Neidan and Sandan.

The name means "Iron Horse". The Kiba-dachi
stance used exclusively in these Kata is the main training stance of Northern
Shaolin Tiger Style of Wu-Shu.

The Kanku Kata were taught to the Okinawans by
Master Kwang Shang Fu - Military Attaché to Okinawa in 1724. The Okinawan way of
saying his name is Kushanku and this was the Okinawan name for these Kata.

Master Funakoshi changed the name to Kanku which
means "to view the sky".

This is the classic "mainstream" Shaolin Kata,
complete with the "Ming" salute at the beginning. Shaolin was also named Jion-Ji
by the Japanese but the literal translation of the Kanji is "to love the sound"
(of Shaolin).

A classic white crane style Kata brought to
Okinawa in 1644 by Military Attaché Master Wang-Shu. The Kata was names after
him hence its Okinawan name of "Wanshu". This translates to "excellent or
incredible arms" and perhaps this explains the lovely hand techniques this Kata
contains.

It also tells us that Master Wang-Shu must have
been very good with his hands.

Empi - 燕飛

Hangetsu

This is a Wutang Kata that came to us through
Master Itosu's training in Na-Ha-te from Master Higaonna. It is named after the
third Chinese Zen Patriarch but the name Hangetsu, given to it by Master
Funakoshi, means "half moon" - a description of the stance.

These Kata are a departure from the norm as they
have their origin in a Southern Shaolin Style called "Phonexi Eye". The form
they are taken from is called "Kaisan". The name on Okinawa was "Useishi" but
this was changed to Gojushiho - "the fifty four steps".

The Gojushiho Kata we know and practise today are
as follows....

Gojushiho Sho -
五十四步小

Gojushiho Dai -
五十四步大

Meikyo

This is a very mysterious Kata. It seems that the
Japanese knew it long before Master Funakoshi introduced Okinawan Karate into
Japan. There is even a Japanese legend concerning Ameratsu, the Sun Goddess.

It appears Ameratsu lost her mirror and could not
admire herself and so went into a sulk. The world therefore, was in darkness. At
last the other Gods decided something must be done so they sent a great warrior
to perform a "war dance" outside her cave.

Hearing the noise, Ameratsu became curious and
came out of the cave. The "war dance" was reputed to be Meikyo.

Meikyo translates to "mirror of the soul". The
old name for Meikyo was Rohai and this is now coming back into use.